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Born-limit scattering and pair-breaking crossover in d-wave superconductivity of (TMTSF)2ClO4
by Shota Yano, Kazumi Fukushima, Katsuki Kinjo, Soichiro Yamane, Le Hong Hoàng To, Pascale Senzier, Cécile Mézière, Shamashis Sengupta, Claire A Marrache-Kikuchi, Denis Jerome, Shingo Yonezawa
Submission summary
| Authors (as registered SciPost users): | Claire Marrache |
| Submission information | |
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| Preprint Link: | scipost_202505_00013v3 (pdf) |
| Date submitted: | Jan. 30, 2026, 9:30 p.m. |
| Submitted by: | Claire Marrache |
| Submitted to: | SciPost Physics |
| Ontological classification | |
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| Academic field: | Physics |
| Specialties: |
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| Approach: | Experimental |
Abstract
In the quasi-one-dimensional organic unconventional superconductor (TMTSF)2ClO4, the randomness of the non-centrosymmetric ClO4 anions can be experimentally controlled by adjusting the cooling rate through the anion-ordering temperature. This feature provides a unique opportunity to study disorder effects on unconventional superconductivity in great detail. We here report on measurements of the electronic specific heat of this system, performed under various cooling rates. The evolution of the residual density of states indicates that the ClO4 randomness works as Born limit pair breakers, which, to our knowledge, has never been clearly identified in any unconventional superconductors. Furthermore, detailed analyses suggest a peculiar crossover from strong unitarity scattering due to molecular defects toward the Born-limit weak scattering due to borders of ordered regions. This work supports the d-wave nature of pairing in (TMTSF)2ClO4 and intends to provide an experimental basis for further developments of pair-breaking theories of unconventional superconductors where multiple electron scattering mechanisms coexist.
Author indications on fulfilling journal expectations
- Provide a novel and synergetic link between different research areas.
- Open a new pathway in an existing or a new research direction, with clear potential for multi-pronged follow-up work
- Detail a groundbreaking theoretical/experimental/computational discovery
- Present a breakthrough on a previously-identified and long-standing research stumbling block
Author comments upon resubmission
Please refer to the document attached to the response to the reviewers that summarizes our answers to their concerns and the summary of the changes made in the manuscript to address them.